The broadcast networks are at work on their new fall series, which means it’s the end of the line for some fading longtime favorites and ratings underachievers. Here are the shows that face an uncertain future.
CBSCBS is the most successful broadcast network this season, yet some tough choices will have to be made. The long-running
Without A Trace and
Cold Case are still popular—but expensive. CBS could replace one or both with new series that are cheaper unless Warner Bros., the studio that produces both shows, charges the network less for them. “There is an expectation that every studio will be asked by every network to reduce license fees,” says one studio executive. “It will be rampant.”
The Unit may also be on the chopping block, as will
Eleventh Hour and
Worst Week, which failed to capitalize on strong lead-ins. CBS wants to keep comedies on Wednesays, but the call to bring back
Gary Unmarried and
Rules of Engagement will go down to the wire.
FOXDespite microscopic numbers for Joss Whedon’s
Dollhouse, renewal is still possible. Whedon has a small but loyal cult of fans, which can translate into big DVD sales and merchandising deals for the network. One route to survival could be sharing the series with a cable network (Sci-Fi?) or DirecTV. But Fox will foreclose on Dollhouse if it can’t make money. “It’s going to have to make financial sense for us,” says one network insider. The outlook for
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is even less promising.
NBCNBC is in the throes of another tough season and will have their pick of shows to replace.
Chuck,
Law & Order and
Medium will have to fight for whatever primetime real estate is left after Jay Leno takes over 10 p.m. every night. “We’re in a much different position with Jay coming onto the schedule,” says NBC’s scheduling chief Mitch Metcalf. “We have fewer spots.”
Kath & Kim,
Knight Rider and
Life are almost certain goners. The future of
My Name Is Earl, which has been syndicated to local TV stations for next season, is also up in the air. NBC will want it back only if it can agree on a cheaper license fee with the show’s studio. And while
Friday Night Lights was a success for DirecTV, ratings are still low on NBC. DirecTV will likely have to pick up more of the costs for it to return. “An extension of the deal has to work for both sides,” says Metcalf.
The CWThe CW has to make decisions about keeping
Privileged,
The Game and
Reaper.
Everybody Hates Chris is also still alive, but less likely to come back now that it’s produced enough episodes for syndication. If the CW’s new series development is strong —and with a
Melrose Place reboot and a drama starring
Friday Night Lights regular Minka Kelly, they’re making a big push— all of these shows could be gone.
ABCMost of ABC’s underperforming shows, like
Life on Mars and
Eli Stone, have already been cancelled. But ABC will take a look at how Christina Applegate’s
Samantha Who? does in its new Thursday time period before picking it up again.